$100,000 line stage

$100,000 line stage

Odd isn’t it, that so long as the source and amp impedance is a good match, that a $49 passive such as the Schiit Sys could sound more transparent and dynamic than this $100k line stage.

http://www.schiit.com/products/sys

Cheers George

It's hard for me to fatham so much $$ for a pre amp. However, its all relative. For those who can only shop at the low end of the spectrum (there is some really great low cost gear BTW), a $3000 component may seem a bit over the top. I do, however, think it's great that companies like Schiit, Peachtree, Pro-Ject plus many big names offer high quality items at a lower cost. 

Back in MY day (late 70's), I could get a 30 watt Pioneer receiver, Pioneer Belt driven TT with Empire cartridge, Teac Cassette deck, Realistic EQ, and a pair of Fisher speakers and be blown away how well it sounded. I believe those times are with us again with all the new companies and lower cost gear.

Dave (dicockrum),
+1 yours is a wise observation.  Why be concerned regarding what another person chooses to do with their own money? Each and everyone of us has our own individual budget limit for a variety of diverse reasons. To each their own is a good philosophical stance IMO. 
Charles 

I'm not concerned with others. I was shopping preamp reviews and came across the one in initial post. I was taken back by the price for a preamp which is technically a simple configuration. Thats all. No envy or concern on my end. If one found a Billion dollar car for sale somewhere, many would post the same on another forum. If I had the money, I would probably buy such things myself (I am a sucker for high priced cameras and vehicles currently).

For  that price, Audio Note should have put the electronics in a nice case. It looks like a unit with a retail cost of $2k! Doesn't appear to have fancy feet either. For the price, it should have the BEST Stillpoints or equivalent.

There is a thread about what a case makes up in the cost equation of gear. This unit looks cheap, relatively speaking. Big FAIL!

There's  nothing wrong with buying gear at this level, I just think a manufacturer would also make a product that "looks" the part, along with performing at the highest level.

I suppose, if you're at this level of decadence, you just don't care if you're not getting everything (including appearance) in a product?